Hi guys, for the past two months I have had a constant dull left sided pain-about 2 inches left of my belly button. It has gotten VERY sharp at times that once I had to go to the ER. I have had all my organs checked-thats okay. I got a VERY sharp pain here 5 yrs ago to, could not even move..ended up in the ER that time as well. Last yr I had the dull pain-same spot for a week. In addition, I have had migratory joint pain, it will pulsate in one area for 10 minutes that hours later move to another place like a quick stab. This has been going on for 2 months too, on top of this my joints have been cracking like crazy.

I had a colon scope yesterday, GI only went in about a foot since that is where my pain is and did not see anything that would alarm him. He took a biopsy to rule out micro colitis. If it comes back clear, he thinks its IBS>

Can you tell me if you get similiar pains with IBS and if you have ever had a dull pain there for a long time and joint pain?----------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't understand why your GI only went in about a foot, your whole colon should have been checked. You should only have to pay him 1/3 since he only checked 1/3 of your colon! Seriously though, I would really question your doc about that. Now if you want a second opinion, you'll probably have to get another colonoscopy.

It's common to have referred pain in the abdomen, it hurts in one spot but the problem is in another. Some people feel gallbladder pain in their shoulder.

Your ab pain sounds similiar to mine, mine is about 2 inches to the left and 2 inches above my belly button. My pain is not constant but it is more cyclical. After getting scoped from both ends and swallowing a camera pill, I was told I have IBS and non-specific ileitis in the middle of my small intestine. Personally I agree with my gyn, my left sided pain is due to endometriosis.

Your other symptoms may be due to fibromyalgia, many people with fibro have IBS and migraines.

Doctors opt for the cheaper, less invasive Flex-sig instead of colonoscopies. I should know, I had rectal bleeding and saw my Gastro doc. He examined me with my clothes on, no prior bowel prep. Of course I was 43, only benign colon polyps in my past, just 2 years before that. He scheduled me for a Flex-sig, a few weeks later and that's when they found my malignant rectal tumor. He immediately ordered a colonoscopy 4 or 5 days later (that week was a blur). In the end, I could tell he wished he had scheduled the C. right away and I wished he had still given me a digital exam, stool and all. He might have felt my tumor. When I was told it was "barely inside" I examined myself and found it right away.

Even post-op he wanted a Flex-sig 6 months later, a colonoscopy 6 months after that.

I think sometimes doctors are reluctant to push for what they know is the best tool - colonoscopy - because insurance companies fight them on charges.

The whole system needs to be overhauled if you ask me. Go a certain politician!!!! Won't name him....Mary

I have had a constant dull lower left abdominal pain for about 10 years.

I also ended up in the emergency ward first time i experienced severe lower abdominal pain. it started with sharp shooting pains in the lower left side. After a few hours I was almost cripled with pain. any movement of the abdomen was excruciating. Laying still was ok, but as soon as i tried to more, the pain in my abdomen was excruciating. but no pain when abdomen was pressed - only with movement.

I didnt get any treatment initially -except xray. the pain subsided gradually over a few weeks, and retured on and off with lesser severity tahn the first attack. Except last year, for some reason had an attack the same as the first, without the initial sharp shooting pains in the abdomen.

about 8 months after the first attack, and following a multitude of xrays, scans and pathology - with no formal diagnsis except possible IBS, The gastroenterologist gave me a course of Flagyl, which resulted in the same pain in the abdomen, but more intense, which lasted a couple of days. The Gastroenterologist's explanation was that the flagyl was killing bacteris, and the bacteria were releasing a toxin, and the intiial abdominal pains were caused by the bacteria "borrowing in" presumably inot my abdomen, and releasing a toxin.

Sometimes people can get what is known as an intermittent partial bowel obstruction that can cause intense pain but is quite difficult to find on examination. The only way to really know for sure is to get exploratory laparoscopic surgery and this is pretty invasive and not recommended until MANY other options have been pursued first. It might be a long road to tell exactly what is causing your pain. In the meantime, have you tried any anti-spasmodic medications such as dicyclomine or hyoscyamine when you are symptomatic?Co-moderator - IBS Forum

Please always remember to consult your medical professional regarding your medical questions; this forum is intended to provide patient-to-patient support. Although some of us have healthcare backgrounds, we cannot diagnose or treat patients on the board.

I am not a physician so I can not tell you what is wrong with you. I can tell you some of my colon history. I have irritable bile syndrome, history of duodenal ulcer, one colon polyp - benign and removed, several stomach polyps - benign and removed, diverticulosis, a severe attack of diverticulitis, twisting of bile when I had an hysterectomy, partial blockage of colon, internal and external hemorroids, and hiatal hernia. I had hemorroid surgery. I have other health problems, but I'm just mentioning my colon history.

First always take your pain seriously. Dark colored blood in your stool can be cancer to Chrohn's disease. How much are your bleeding makes a difference so does what have you eaten lately. Light colored blood can mean hemorroids. Severe pain can be different things. But severe pain in your colon can be some blockage or just an attack of colitis if it is followed with so many hours of diarrhea. Any one who has gone through this can verify this. A gastroentrologist is needed to do tests to find out the cause of your pain, if it is in your digestive system. A trip to the er is well made, but following up with a gastroentrologist is advised, even if the tests are unpleasant.

I'm tired of my left side hurting all the time. Some times it swells. I think gas distends it. Even when I go, I may still have more inside me. When I hurt a lot, that is usually the reason for the pain. If I hurt for any length of time, I need to take something to make me go a lot. Not taking fiber is usually why I hurt, but I hate so much taking it. When I'm really bad because I haven't taken the fiber like I should, taking a couple of fiber supplements or fiber cereal just isn't enough. As long as you can go, you should be o.k. I've been fighting fiber therapy for years. You would think I would learn by now. Eating spicy foods is another reason. I once got a rectal ulcer by eating too much roughage. I had to stay in the hospital for a week. Ate too many cucumber seeds. Eating too many seeds like in eggplant and eating popcorn effects my diverticulitis. Tomato products effect my stomach. Too much roughage is overrated. Little bit of everything is healthier.

If you still hurt and get no satisfaction with your trip to the er, don't ignore your pain. Doctors like to blame everything on irritable bile syndrome. They say it to you like they are saying - well just live with it. Maybe that is true, but make sure before you do. Doctors don't know everything. They just go by symptoms. Unless you are in a definite crisis, they won't do a endoscopy and colonoscopy. If they have done these tests, follow a high fiber diet. Watch what your are eating. Make sure you are going. You know what I mean. If you keep having severe pain, keep bugging your doctor. If he diagnoses you with irritable bile syndrome, good luck. Stress and lack of fiber brings it on. A good walk is great, too. They can do ultrasound on your stomach, but they usually need a good cause. They did it once to me. I think they do that for kidney stones and gall bladder problems. I was o.k.

I live with pain, especially on my left side. But I need to have tests, as often as the doctor prescribes. They can save your life. But don't worry so much. Everything isn't always the worse. We live in stressful times, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of fiber diets. I don't have the money to eat as healthy as I should. But I try to eat healthy as I can afford. Stress is the killer of man. I don't think I should take medicine for the rest of my life. But until I stop hurting, it is all I know to do. Good luck!